I love heading down to the Myrtle Beach boardwalk this time of year. Not only because it’s less crowded, but because it’s home to one of my favorite area Christmas trees. The large, decorated tree makes for a great photo opp with the ocean in the background—a good reminder that Christmas is better at the beach! Another perk of heading downtown come December is the Oceanfront Merchants ‘Holidays on the Boardwalk’ event, happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. Enjoy strolling carolers, costumed characters, caricature…

This weekend brings two important dates for beachgoers everywhere—Saturday, June 20, is the official start of summer, and Sunday, June 21, is National Seashell Day! It’s fitting that these two dates happen within a day of each other, as summer at the beach (and especially Myrtle Beach) is the perfect opportunity to find some seashells. I’ve always enjoyed finding shells when I’ve gone to the beach, but never in the past set out with the intention to go searching for seashells. The recent quarantine due to COVID-19 changed that! Shelling is a…

The beginning of May marks the start of loggerhead sea turtle nesting season here in South Carolina. From now until October, female turtles will make their way out of the ocean and to the dunes, where they dig a nest and lay their eggs. A loggerhead sea turtle will lay around 120 eggs that will then incubate for around two months, 55 to 60 days until they emerge to make their journey back to the ocean. Volunteer groups throughout the Grand Strand make a great effort to protect these turtles, their eggs, and babies throughout the turtle season.…

As we near a very unique Mother’s Day—one most families will celebrate at home—I’ve been thinking a lot about my personal journey as a mother during this scary season of coronavirus. Like many around the world, I’ve found life in quarantine to be a roller coaster… a strange recipe of memorable family moments, anxious nights, afternoons of boredom, creativity, frustration, exhaustion, and more. There have been some truly magical days—my oldest learning to ride a bike, mornings cooking with my youngest son or sitting in the sunshine while the…

Around the beginning of May—sometimes earlier if we’re having a particularly warm spring—we start to see some cannonball jellyfish wash ashore on our daily beach walks. One of the questions I’m asked frequently online is whether there are jellyfish in Myrtle Beach, and of course, the answer is yes. But that shouldn’t cause too much concern or stop anyone from swimming. The jellyfish most commonly seen along our shoreline are cannonball jellyfish and this particular kind are not generally known for stinging humans. In fact, I’ve lived and swam…

This week, we’ll celebrate Earth Day in a different way. Normally, we venture down to Brookgreen Gardens for activities they host celebrating our planet and teaching us how we can do our part to keep it clean or we head out for a community beach sweep. But given the current circumstances, we’ll be sticking close to home and trying to incorporate Earth Day into our day-to-day life. Earth Day falls on Wednesday, April 22, this year, but we’ll be using the whole week to teach our kids what we can about doing our part. It’s the 50th anniversary of…

I recently had a bad accident that left me handicapped for a few months. While it’s not the best time of year to be in a boot in sunny South Carolina, I’ve made the best of it in a lot of ways. For starters, it has given me the opportunity to get reacquainted with the handicapped-friendliness of our beach destination! For example, I had no idea that with a handicapped license tag, you may park for free in any public-operated parking meter. This includes much of the beach access parking you’ll find along the Grand Strand. For those of you who…

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the perfect place to pick up a shelling hobby. With over 60-miles of uninterrupted shoreline, you can walk for miles and explore a variety of beaches in search of the perfect seashell. While even shelling enthusiasts admit that luck and chance have a large role in determining what shells one finds on the beach, there are a few things that can certainly increase your chances. Laura Rusinko, president of the Grand Strand Shell Club, shared these tips with us last week: Have the Right Equipment While all you…

Before you head out to enjoy the 60 miles of coastline in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, rethink the way you pack your beach bag. By packing only the necessities and by packing them smartly, you’ll cut down on the time it takes to get to the beach and enjoy it more once you’re there. Roll your towel and/or blanket tightly. Slide it into your beach bag vertically, so you’ll be able to pull it out of your bag first. Heavier items are best suited for the bottom of your beach bag. Things like a book and water bottle should go in first. Keep items…

Yesterday (June 21) marked the official start of summer! Hurray! We’re looking forward to many, many days of fun in the sun here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you’re headed to our shores in the coming months, here are a few tips to make sure your visit is as fun and safe as possible--whether you’re swimming, hunting for seashells or simply laying out: Sun Exposure Always, always, ALWAYS wear sunscreen. Regular application of sunscreen protects against painful sunburn and sun damage. Reapply after swimming and always bring along a hat…